ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses developmental consideration in group work with members across the lifespan, including the basic principles of group work with substance abuse. Group work can be an effective and efficient means of serving the needs of children. When children progress through developmental tasks and issues in conjunction with peers, they often develop a greater sense of self-efficacy and resources, leading to fewer problems in the future. Group settings are natural environments for children and come with the enormous capability to harm or heal children. Because of this, extreme care must be taken by leaders when working with this population in order to do the least harm and greatest good. Group work with adolescents can be especially helpful because groups are designed to provide a supportive and healthy environment for peers. Because peer relations are so crucial during adolescence, a group format can be even more beneficial than other modes of counseling.
